As you probably know, I am a fan of emphasising the Conservative perspective on events, albeit in moderation. The reason for that is that I deem ignorance of any kind potentially harmful. We need to know about Conservatives.
If you’re not put off by those introductory statements then you might find the following quite interesting. Paul Goodman, writing on the Tory grassroots internet platform ConsHome.com, posted an open letter to David Cameron this morning that illuminates some of the conflict within the Conservative Party about the course currently taken in relation to rioting and rioters. I particularly want to draw your attention to the last two paragraphs in which Goodman comments on the proposed British Bill of Rights. Goodman is addressing Cameron directly and he is making a valid point about the dark side of social morality as expressed by the PM.
“We’re working [said David Cameron in his speech yesterday] to develop a way through the morass by looking at creating our own British Bill of Rights…The truth is, the interpretation of human rights legislation has exerted a chilling effect on public sector organisations…It is exactly the same with health and safety.”
This is the big one, isn’t it? Since the riots, you and other Ministers have made a series of announcements. Convicted rioters could lose their council homes. Even those not jailed could lose their benefits. Child offenders will be named and shamed. And so on. But how on earth is all this compatible with the Human Rights Act?
The full post is here.
